Stogie Guys Free Newsletter

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As we have since July 2006, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. Below is our latest Friday Sampler.

1) Despite global economic turmoil and a reduction in cigarette consumption, cigar smoking increased significantly in the last decade, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control. Between 2000 and 2011, “large cigar” consumption rose 233% (and pipe smoking increased 482%), compared to a 27.5% reduction among all tobacco products over the same time period. This rise in cigar smoking came against major headwinds like drastic increases in federal tobacco taxes (remember SCHIP?) and the further spread of smoking bans. Expect anti-tobacco zealots to use this report as justification for even higher taxes and dangerous regulatory measures from the FDA.

2) Woodford Reserve is celebrating 200 years of bourbon distilling with a series of events at its distillery in Versailles, Kentucky. Included are tours, picnics, an “1812 Bourbon Feast” with dishes from surrounding farms, and a special 200th anniversary bottle. Click here to check out the events.

3) Cigar Giveaway Result: We have a winner in our latest Stogie Guys contest. We selected Chris from Illinois at random from about 100 entrants, all of which we appreciate. Chris is a fan of Nicaraguan cigars whose favorite brands are Tatuaje and Liga Privada. He says he’s been smoking cigars for six years and is a newcomer to StogieGuys.com. He’ll receive the special three-pack of cigars from Don Pepin Garcia in a signed box. Again, congrats Chris.

4) Upcoming Cigar Gievaway: Macanudo is holding the Ultimate Round Contest to give one winner and three friends a trip to the 2013 Masters, including round-trip airfare and spending money (and we bet plenty of cigars). In that spirit, they’ve given us a golf-themed prize (a Callaway golf towel, club head cover, and a box of Macanudos) to giveaway to a reader. To be eligible to win, you need to be subscribed to our free email newsletter. We’ll announce the winner in an upcoming newsletter. (Fine print here.)

5)Deal of the Week: Lovers of large ring gauge cigars (and even those who normally prefer smaller ring gauges) may want to try the new Inch by E.P. Carrillo. Emerson’s is one of the first to have them in stock, and if you’re not sure if you’re ready for a whole box, check out the four-cigar sampler that includes both the Maduro and Sumatra blends.

My guess is “yes” too, which only underscores the importance of differentiating premium cigars from machine-made smokes that are sold at gas stations. Anti-tobacco folks will see this study and say, “See, SCHIP and all the smoking bans still didn’t have an impact on the cigar industry,” and I think that statement is unequivocally false.

It's frustrating that this continues to happen, but thankfully we (the CRA, other vigilant cigar organizations and manufacturers, sites like this) appear to be making progress to communicate the message that there is a difference between mass and premium (or even any tobacco product and premium cigars) and it is a big one. Getting over the "tobacco means bad" mantra that has been drilled into everyone's heads for the last 20+ years is a difficult hurdle to get over for the average person though.

The increase likely to be largely a result of machine-made manufacturers tinkering with their smaller cigars to increase the size to meet the minimum requirement for "large" cigar and reap the benefit of the lower tax. Patrick A. is absolutely correct. Without a federal definition that separates premium, all-tobacco cigars from other cigars, our hobby is going to remain at risk.